Gongalong

Hmm, as a user if I try and browse to %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Word.lnk I get the error "Accessing the resource '%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Word.lnk' has been disallowed." so I'm guessing somewhere in a GPO I've disabled the ability for the user to see this, hence it doesn't appear. Now to try and figure out (a) where I've disabled it or (b) can I point to something else that isn't disabled.

Thanks guys. I've got the tile to work properly, including logoff and the printer credits. @Arthur it was definitely about getting those links correct via using that flag when exporting. Code is now as follows, but I still cannot get the taskbar to change. I've followed the Microsoft guide, ensure that the schema is there, but it doesn't change. I've tried both adding and replacing, doesn't make any difference. Any ideas? xmlns:defaultlayout="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/FullDefaultLayout" xmlns:start="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/StartLayout" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/LayoutModification" xmlns:taskbar="http://schemas.microsoft.com/Start/2014/TaskbarLayout" Version="1">

Thanks, it will be much appreciated. It's frustratingly fragile. This is the code I have just for the tiles, which works fine. But if I change things around too much e.g. drop the group cell width to 4, then it fails to process. I've just tried adding this very simple change to the taskbar, including the end code from the start menu just to demonstrate it was there, and this breaks the processing i.e. I just get the default start menu and no change to the taskbar.

Hi folks, I'm after some advice with tile and taskbar layouts, provisioned by group policy. I've followed the guide here for tiles and have used this for a couple of years https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/configuration/customize-and-export-start-layout I have one niggle with tiles, in that I want to create a tile that signs the user out. This points to a shortcut that in turn runs C:\Windows\System32\logoff.exe. I've created the tile like all the others that work, but it doesn't appear. Similarly I would like another tile that runs our PaperCut client app, which is antoher link that goes to the pc-client-local-cache.exe app on the print server. Same problem, the tile doesn't appear. Code for both is as follows. Position seems to be irrelevant, because they just don't appear, so there must be something peculiar about the links or apps that breaks the tile. Any ideas? I'm also trying to modify the taskbar, but can't get that to work at all. I'm using Microsoft's guide at the following link, but even their example code doesn't work. I just end up with a duff set of tiles and no modified taskbar, which essentially means it has failed to process the XML. Any clues on getting this working, or is it just broken? (I'm testing in 1903) https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/configuration/configure-windows-10-taskbar Thanks

Am I right in thinking that you use AD security groups synced with Azure? Based on this https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/fundamentals/active-directory-licensing-whatis-azure-portal Not sure if the RM Unify sync tool will upload security groups, but I can check with them.

(We don't use Azure, because we sync AD via the RM Unify AD sync app, although I know it's there in the background and can be accessed)

Does the Azure GUI refresh the user list every time a change two two or more users is made?

The main problem is that there's nothing really to differentiate students from staff, so at the next new student import I will prefix display names with graduation year.

It's pretty rare that I need to do anything like this - in this instance, adding Office ProPlus licenses which differ between student and faculty - so the time to code this in PowerShell would be wasted for me. It's just a shame the GUI is so poor, although it's better than it was.

Is there such a thing as a power user app for O365? I'm trying to add lots of licenses, which I can do with the GUI, but it only allows you to add 100 at a time. Once you've added them it resets the view. (Microsoft are sadists, right?) It would seem there's a market for something that can cache this view and carry out more powerful operations and filtering. (Yep, I know I could use PowerShell, I'd just rather have a decent GUI)

Has anyone had any luck getting free education licenses of Sketchup Pro? Sketchup's site suggests it's possible if you're a state school, albeit a US-centric page https://www.sketchup.com/plans-and-pricing#for-primary-and-secondary-education The "Learn How" link from the page takes you to a reseller selection list, and there is one commercial reseller listed there, and seemingly a representative from West Berks county council. The former have replied to say they no longer issue the licenses, and the latter hasn't replied. Needless to say Sketchup don't seem to provide a simple email address to contact, so I'm trying via Twitter and their forum. I suspect there's not much hope, but any other schools that have managed it, or other ideas?

Not very handy unfortunately. I'm surprised there isn't just a simple single slider for main volume in Windows, much like the various knobs that are out there.

@LeMarchand Actually, that could work. I really just need a master control, so can run the laptop output to that, then output from the mixer to the speakers. It's either that or MIDI mixer and software. Ta! @andy_b That's a MIDI mixer and software, and as mentioned in the OP I'm trying to avoid that, but it's a Plan B at least.

I'd much prefer it. I can see a bunch of USB knobs on Amazon, but a fader/slider would just be much easier to visualise in terms of current volume.

This is a mix of Windows and AV hardware, but does such a thing as a simple USB fader control for the Windows volume mixer exist? I can find USB volume knobs, but I want a fader. I can also find MIDI controllers with faders that require extra software, but was trying to find something a bit simpler. Thanks

*cleans glasses* Yes, that was the crucial difference. Fixed. Thanks!!!

To add insult to injury it seems to be stuck now doing this, even though I've set the GPO back to "Not Configured".

Yep, looks pretty much the same. Unless I'm missing something? Could it be the URL file? I changed the extension to HTTP, same thing, although that would make sense seeing as it's treated in the same way.

Hi folks, I'm trying to get Chrome to open URL (or HTTP) files. I've added the Chrome GPO and set it as the default browser, and that's working fine. But when I double click on a URL file it then prompts for the app to open it. So I've followed Google's guide and added a default associations configuration file (I added a row for .URL) https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/7009292?hl=en What happens now though is that Chrome opens the files as if they're text files, and just shows the contents. Same with an HTTP file, rather than going to the website. Any ideas? Thanks

We're using Unify, and there is an SSO setup, but tried to enable it on Friday and not working so far. Support call logged...

I'd forgotten about Shared Computer Activation, which is an alternative. This has some caveats though, as it could mean students have to login at least once to Office (not sure if more times are required). Depends if you have SSO enabled.

A last call for any feedback, especially from AMI Education users. Thanks!

Good point. This could well become at least an annual thing.

Not strictly true though as per the above I was recommended AMI and CRBCunninghams over others. I did wonder if someone had made a mistake saying that though!

I have looked again at Device Based Activation, and tried to create a deployment using this guide https://sysadminedu.wordpress.com/2017/01/07/step-by-step-guide-to-deploying-office-365-pro-plus-with-device-based-activation-with-sccm/ The problem is that when it tries to activate the license it gives this error: SKUCheck unsuccessful - please verify that the Office 365 Education Plus for Students license is available in your tenant. I spotted this Reddit thread https://www.reddit.com/r/msp/comments/92qnek/office_365_device_based_activation_for_education/ and spoke to Microsoft Support, and as per this Microsoft blog thread https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/nzedu/2017/05/03/device-based-activation-for-office365-proplus-great-for-education/ Device Based Activation is not supported outside of the USA, and support would not convert my licenses. Great! :mad: